By LAWI WENG -The Burmese junta has deployed Light Infantry Division (LID) No.77 to an area near Three Pagodas Pass (TPP), in order to launch more military operations in Mon and Karen ethnic areas.
This is the first time that the LID No. 77 has travelled to TPP. This division maintains 200 troops with three battalions. The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has expressed doubt as what LID No. 77 will do to NMSP areas as the ceasefire agreement has collapsed between the Burmese regime and the NMSP.
The regime has already deployed LID No.22, with over 200 troops, to the TPP area.
An NMSP member commented, “This is first time they have arrived in this area. It is very strange. Maybe they [junta troops] will fight the KNU [Karen National Union]. If not, they may fight us.”
The Burmese junta ever used the LID No. 77, which base in Pegu, to launch major the military offensive when they attacked to the ethnic areas.
Yesterday, troops from LID No. 77 shot at a mountainous area in which the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 6 is active. Near Ton-Ka-Tar village, Burmese troops believe that there are KNLA troops waiting to ambush them on their route to provide military supplies to the Burmese soldiers in TPP.
An NMSP military officer explained, “They were shooting like they were trying to destroy the mountain. Many bullets flew over our heads.”
The 200 troops from LID No. 77 trekked from Anan Kwin village in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, Karen State, with 25 vehicles for security, to transport military equipment to TPP.
At five in the evening yesterday, six cars arrived at the TPP military base, and 19 more are scheduled to arrive today.
NMSP sources said that the cars contain ammunition and food to use at the TPP military base.
Transportation of military equipment is quite difficult for Burmese military troops as there have been five episodes of conflict breaking out between Burmese military troops and the KNLA, in which the an unknown number of soldiers were killed.
This morning, a rubber plantation owner near Chaung Zone river reported that “the fight between the LID troops and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops took a half hours outside TPP town while the DKBA troops attempted an ambush.”
KNLA anticipated that the Burmese army will take more the military offensive in their areas as the junta troops want to seize some of the areas, especially, where there is mining areas, which is under the control of KNLA.
Sources close to the Burmese authorities in TPP said that the Burmese regime has made an agreement with the Thai army to sell antimony, a chemical element found in mines.
Observers to the deal have speculated that the regime deployed more troops due to the agreement between the Burmese regime and the Thai army to sell antimony once the Burmese regime gains control of KNLA mining areas.
Meanwhile, KNLA Brigade No. 6 has blocked off the main trade route from Thanphyuzayart Township to TPP. The road has been sealed off in order to stop all movement of junta troops and food supplies for the military there.
TPP residents rely on commodities exported during the current winter and upcoming summer season. Most residents are now buying commodities from Thailand at higher prices.
